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McElhaney Structural Engineers is a structural engineering firm with special expertise in working with information technology and server technology companies to conduct seismic evaluations that help ensure stable data center ecosystems.

McElhaney Structural Engineers is a Reno, Nevada-based structural engineering firm that, since 2006, has provided structural engineering design, analysis, and community development services to contractors, developers, owners, tribes, and municipalities throughout the West.

At McElhaney Structural Engineers, we love working with architects early on and throughout the design and construction process. As we like to say, if you can dream it, we can figure out how to get it built—on time, on budget, and safely, from a structural point of view.

Latest Projects

What We Do

Structural engineering is a specialized discipline within the broader field of civil engineering that deals with the analysis and design of structures that support or resist loads. Structural engineers are concerned not only with the overall integrity of a building or structure, but also with human safety in the face of natural forces, such as earthquakes, severe storms, and other unforeseen forces in an unpredictable and sometimes hazardous world.

Structural engineers usually work on the design and analysis of the built environment, such as commercial buildings, residences, industrial buildings, and so forth, but they can also apply their knowledge of physics and technical and scientific skills to the design and analysis of any built object whose material construction and structural integrity affect its safety or performance.

Structural engineers leverage their deep knowledge of physics, mathematics, and engineering principles to work on both straightforward structures as well as complex structural systems. Most importantly for many clients, structural engineers are experts in efficiency and value-engineering, which means a solid working relationship can save time, money, and effort on every project you undertake.

McElhaney Structural Engineers’ team of engineers and drafting professionals are well-versed in building codes in all of the communities we serve. For projects large or small, we are happy to answer your questions, provide clear recommendations, and engineer solutions to meet or exceed code. Our founder, Brett McElhaney, M.S., P.E., S.E., holds the Civil/Structural seat on the Carson City, Nevada Board of Appeals for Building Code Issues, and is highly regarded by his peers in this and other municipalities and tribes across the West for his grasp of the sometimes complex and always changing world of building codes.

McElhaney Structural Engineers has extensive experience helping owners, contractors, developers, and others to navigate the sometimes mysterious building permitting process for projects large and small. Our “shoulder to shoulder” approach with our clients ensures that you have an advocate and guide standing by your side, saving time, money, and frustration—and ensuring that your project gets started on the right footing.

The talented engineering team at McElhaney Structural Engineers uses Building Information Modeling, or BIM, to design and analyze structures for structural integrity, constructability, and value engineering. Today’s BIM systems enable engineers to visualize a structure in three dimensions, rotate it, slice it, and perform analyses never before possible, ensuring safer structures for a hazardous world.

You wouldn’t buy a used car without having a trained mechanic run a compression check. By the same token, you wouldn’t be taking due diligence in the purchase of an existing structure without undertaking a comprehensive assessment by a licensed structural firm. A full structural engineering assessment by McElhaney Structural Engineers gives you a complete picture of the assets and liabilities of the structure in question, so you can fully understand what you’re dealing with, make educated decisions, mitigate risks, and maximize your structure’s commercial potential.

As a licensed structural engineering firm, one of the key deliverables of McElhaney Structural Engineers are the professionally drafted and stamped plans, specifications, and other supporting documents that guide and inform your construction project. Our talented team of engineers and drafting professionals create these documents with an eye to constructability, to ensure that what you have in mind can, indeed, be built in an efficient and cost-effective way.

At McElhaney Structural Engineers, you can count on us to conduct thorough plan review for every project you bring to the table. After all, with a motto like “safer structures for a hazardous world,” there’s no margin for miscalculations at McElhaney Structural Engineers! Bring us your plans, specifications, and calculations, and we’ll be happy to review them to make sure they comply with all applicable codes and regulations as part of our efforts to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of the people and property inside your built environment.

“If you can dream it, we can figure out how to get it built—on time, on budget, and safely.”

— Brett McElhaney, MBA, MS, PE, SE

Testimonials

In our first project in Reno we worked directly with Brett, solving a difficult structural problem in an existing building. He was responsive and very collaborative in coming up with a practical design solution. Brett and his firm have made our project transition from design to construction a very smooth process. We look forward to working together on more projects in the future.

Jim DonofrioPresident, Trident Construction Corporation

Brett and MSE have been a great find for us to work with the past few years. He truly responds to variables and has ideas that help refine our projects. This is an exception in our industry and something we highly value.

Donald J. ClarkAIA Principal, Cathexes, LLC

I have found my professional interaction with Brett McElhaney to be very enjoyable. His firm is very easy to work with and is timely with getting their work completed. I would say Brett is a very good structual engineer. As a developer, I have found him to be very practical and will do his best to value-engineer his work to provide a high quality cost effect corrective action plan.

Joseph KramerReal Estate Developer, Las Vegas, Nevada

I have been contracting with Brett McElhaney for engineering services since August 2014, and am very pleased with our relationship. The work is performed in a timely manner and in accordance with the agreement for services. The engineering work is done with an eye to satisfying the local building department requirements, so there are minimal plan check corrections needed. The office staff is friendly and helpful. The engineering staff is also friendly and helpful when inspections or changes are required in the field. I highly recommend McElhaney Structural Engineers, LLC, for engineering services.

I wanted to personally thank you for all of your hard work on this project. You and your entire team have been very professional and extremely quick and responsive to Modern’s needs. It was great working with you and we look forward to continuing our professional relationship in the future. Thanks again.

Mike WyrauchSuperintendent, Modern Building, Inc.

Tico Construction used the services of McElhaney Structural Engineers to do our high-rise renovation in the old Woolworth’s Building that had been dormant in downtown Reno for over 20 years.

It has been a challenging project and having the right engineering firm was critical, especially because we had to go below the water line of the river to construct an elevator pit and grease interceptor. Since the Woolworth’s Building was built in 1962 we also had the issues of old codes vs. new codes.

We appreciated their quick turn-around time and completing the project in a timely manner without incurring any unnecessary costs. We look forward to our next project together.

Alex HosePresident at Tico Construction

Just wanted to thank you for the fine job you did for us at the Dr Pepper facility. You were very accommodating in working out the details for our design-build project on the loading dock. Your quick response and attention to detail made our installation a breeze. I look forward to working with you in the very near future.

Steve CollinsChief Estimator at Q&D Construction

MSE has been a consulting engineer for hawkins and associates for several years. Brett McElhaney is great at pushing the envelope with his structural engineering abilities and then backing up the creative engineering with practical and constructible details. He is a fine person and he and his firm are a pleasure to work with.

Jack Hawkinshawkins & associates, inc.

Year after year McElhaney Structural Engineers has provided our company with professional engineering to meet the high demands of today’s construction world. McElhaney is who we turn to for all of our Engineering needs.

Tom BlackBlack Development Group Inc.

Our Clients

Nutrition for Optimal Wellness

Cathexes Architecture

H+K

Pyramid Lake

Sierra Silica

Bango Refining NV

Q&D Construction, Inc.

Borelli Architecture

Capital Control Systems

About Us

MSE is known for civil structural engineering services including structural design and analysis, seismic evaluations, and value engineering.